在詩篇一一九篇的一百七十六節裡，處處都充滿了上帝話語的神奇！──這是詩篇中最長的一篇，也是聖經中最長的一章。一一九篇就像一個三錂鏡，光線透過它折射出五彩繽紛的顏色，詩人高舉著上帝的話語，從不同的角度查驗其真實度。綜觀全詩，裡面充滿了八個同義字──列舉如下：
        ●律法（由「教導」延伸而來）──上帝的話彰顯祂的旨意
        ●法度──上帝的話語是信實而真誠的
        ●訓詞──上帝的話語具有特別的指示
        ●律例──上帝的話語帶著力量與永恆
        ●命令──上帝的話語具有權炳
        ●典章──上帝的話語是賦予人智慧
        ●應許──上帝的話語是可靠的
        ●話──指上帝的真理蘊藏在一切話語的形式裡

        爲什麼你要查考上帝的話語？可否列出十二個理由，表明上帝的話語是每日靈修的重點？
        假設你是詩篇一一九篇的作者！那麼研經的動機不應只限於一種「對─我─有─何─好─處」的心態，而應了解另一種好處，就是從每日靈修中，體會到上帝的話語會鼓勵你樂意花更多時間鑽研這本書中之書。
        詩篇一一九篇猶如一個裝滿好處的寶盒，全詩計有二十二個段落，在每一個段落裡（按照希伯來文的字母從頭到尾排列），你能找到一種好處嗎？舉個例來說，從一到八節（即希伯來文的「阿法」）上帝的話語使信祂的人不至羞愧；從九到十六節(即希伯來文的「貝塔」)，上帝的話語使信祂的人潔靜。

        上帝的話：今日，昨日，永遠
        詩人強調上帝的話對他個人的重要。每個世代蒙啟示的作者都證實聖經的重要性。默想下面三個例子：「這（律法）不是虛空與你們無關的事，乃是你們的生命。」（申32：47）「這律法書不可離開你的口，總要晝夜思想。」（書1：8）「聖經都是……於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義、都是有益的。」（提後3：16）

馬丁路德說：「我什麼也不能做，但上帝的話能，而且能完成每一件事。」

English

        The wonders of God's Word fill the 176 verses of Psalm 119—the longest song in the Psalter and longest chapter in the Bible. Like a prism breaking a beam of light into colors, the psalmist holds aloft the Word of God to examine it from different angles. Eight synonyms for Scripture dominate the psalm—each with a lesson:
        • LAW (from the word leach)—God's Word reveals His will.
        • Testimony—God's Word is faithful and true.
        • Precept—God's Word gives particular instructions.
        • Statute—God's Word has binding force and permanence.
        • Commandment—God's Word possesses authority.
        • Ordinance—God's Word gives discernment.
        • Promise—God's Word is reliable.
        • Word—A term referring to God's truth in all its forms.

        Could you list a dozen reasons for making God's inspired Word the focus of your daily meditation?
        You could if you were the author of Psalm 119! The motivation for studying the Bible should never be solely a "what's-in-it-for-me?" mentality. An understanding of the benefits you will enjoy from a daily time in God's Word can only encourage you to spend time mastering, and being mastered by, the Book of books.
        Psalm 119 resembles a treasure chest of benefits. For each of the 22 sections (which run "A to Z"—aleph to tau—through the Hebrew alphabet), see if you can discover one benefit. For example, in verses 1-8 ("aleph"), God's Word spares the believer from shame; in verses 9-16 ("beth"), God's Word cleanses.

        God's Word: Today, Yesterday, and Forever
        The psalmist stressed the importance of God's Word for him personally. Inspired writers have verified the importance of the Scriptures throughout die ages. Consider three examples: "It [the law] is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life" (Deuteronomy 32:47). "Thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (Joshua 1:8). "Scripture ... is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Martin Luther said, "I have done nothing; the Word has done and accomplished everything."